Absolute infrared intensities of hydrocarbons

Dipole-moment derivatives, calculated by both the CNDO/2 method with different parameterizations and the INDO method, are compared to the experimental values determined from absolute infrared intensity measurements for the IR active modes of methane, ethane, ethylene and acetylene. A parameter refinement procedure is introduced in which the CNDO/2 molecular orbital parameters are adjusted through a damped least-squares treatment to give best agreement with the observed dipole-moment derivatives. It is found that the refinement does not substantially improve the agreement obtained with the original CNDO/2 parameterization. The INDO method gives somewhat poorer agreement than the CNDO/2 calculations. As an example of the applicability of the molecular orbital methods toward reproducing relative infrared intensities, the spectrum of cyclopropane in the gasphase is examined.

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Zusammenfassung Die Ableitungen des Dipol-Moments, die nach der CNDO/2-Methode mit verschiedenen Parametrisierungen sowie der INDO-Methode berechnet wurden, werden mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen aus Messungen der absoluten Infrarot-Intensitäten für die IR-aktiven Schwingungen von Methan, Äthan, Äthylen und Azetylen verglichen. Die CNDO/2-Parameter werden mit einer Methode der kleinsten Quadrate den beobachteten Dipol-Moment-Ableitungen angepaßt. Die Ergebnisse sind jedoch nicht wesentlich von denen der ursprünglichen CNDO/2-Methode verschieden. Die INDO-Ergebnisse sind nicht so gut wie die CNDO/2-Ergebnisse. Als Beispiel der Anwendbarkeit der MO-Methoden zur Berechnung von relativen IR-Intensitäten wird das Spektrum des Cyclopropans in der Gasphase untersucht.

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Résumé Les dérivées du moment dipolaire, calculées par la méthode CNDO/2 avec différentes paramétrisations et par la méthode INDO, sont comparées aux valeurs expérimentales déterminées à partir de mesures d'intensité absolue pour les modes actifs dans l'infra-rouge dans le méthane, l'éthane, l'éthylène et l'acétylène. Les paramètres sont ajustés de manière à donner le meilleur accord avec les dérivées du moment dipolaire. Cet ajustement n'améliore pas sensiblement l'accord obtenu avec la paramétrisation CNDO/2 originale. La méthode INDO donne des résultats moins bons que les calculs CNDO/2. Le spectre du cyclopropane en phase gazeuse est étudié comme exemple de l'applicabilité de la méthode des orbitales moléculaires au calcul des intensités relatives infra-rouge.

     

Periodic,multiplicative number-theoretical functions

D. Leitmann andD. Wolke [3] proved that multiplicative functions, which are restrictions of continuous, periodic functionsF: with irrational period, are constant equal to 0 or 1. In this note a simpler proof for this result is given.     

A comparison of two approaches to the optimal positioning of a new product in an attribute space

This paper is concerned with the optimal positioning of a new product in an attribute space. A deterministic optimization model that relies on the axiom of choice is compared with the model byShocker/Srinivasan [1974] that incorporates a probabilistic measure of choice. Investigating the assumptions and the construction of both models, it is shown that the probability function byShocker/Srinivasan is based on a controversial assumption and incorporates a parameter that has not been given an economic explanation. Furthermore, both models are applied to complex configurations. It is demonstrated that the optimal positions for the new product resulting from the model byShocker/Srinivasan depend heavily on the parameter just mentioned and may run contrary to plausible consequences of the axiom of choice.

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Zusammenfassung Für die optimale Gestaltung neuer Produkte, d.h. ihrer Positionierung in einem Raum von Produkteigenschaften, wird ein Modell angeboten, das auf einer deterministischen Kaufentscheidung beruht, ein anderes, das eine stochastische Kaufentscheidung unterstellt. Es wird gezeigt, daß der zuletzt genannte Modelltyp stark von der Spezifikation eines ökonomisch bisher nicht erklärten Parameters abhängt und z.T. Konsequenzen aufweist, die dem Wahlaxiom zuwider laufen, auf das das erstgenannte Modell aufbaut. Durch einen Vergleich auch komplexer Konfigurationen von Käuferbeurteilungen neuer Produkte wird gezeigt, welche Gestaltungsentscheidungen auf der Grundlage der beiden Modelle zur Optimierung einer Zielfunktion zu treffen sind.

     

Effect of pH and ligand charge state on BACE-1 fragment docking performance

In this work we propose a protocol for estimating the effect of pH on the docking performance to BACE-1, which affords the charge state of the inhibitor as well as the protonation state of all ionisable residues in the protein at a given pH value. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a protocol predicting the BACE-1 ligand docking poses not only at the neutral pH at which most crystallographic structures were obtained, but also at the optimal pH of the enzyme (in the acidic range), at which most of the BACE-1 binding affinity assays are performed. We have applied this protocol to a set of 23 fragment-like BACE-1 ligands that span four orders of magnitude in their binding affinities. The pK _a values of the BACE-1 acidic residues deviate substantially from the estimates for model compounds in solution and display a ligand dependent variability, especially in the case of the catalytic Asp dyad residues. This outcome should have a strong bearing on the design of protocols for docking based BACE-1 screening campaigns. Finally, we were able to find an explanation for the poor docking success rate of some fragments based on the availability of anchoring points, a rationale that could help to improve hit rates in BACE-1 screening campaigns.     

An Experimental Study of a Flux Modulated Solid State Metathesis Reaction

A solid state metathesis (SSM) reaction was investigated with respect to the formation of rare‐earth carbodiimides, the role of the co‐produced salt (LiCl), and the eutectic flux medium (LiCl/KCl). A SSM reaction is characterized by an exothermic reaction in which a salt (often LiCl) is coproduced. When the salt melts, it can serve as a useful medium for the crystallization of a desired product. An improved crystal growth can be observed by using an eutectic flux. However, the composition of an eutectic LiCl/KCl flux is altered when LiCl is produced during the reaction. The thermal effects concerning the endothermic melting of the flux and the exothermic ingnition of the SSM reaction may compensate each other, which is not necessarily a drawback for the reaction to proceed.